Last Thanksgiving I created a little activity pack for my younger kids to expand their imaginative play time after listening to (or reading) a book. In case you missed it, I wanted to share it again! Choose between a Thanksgiving/Fall-themed pack or a pack with a non-seasonal theme. If you choose to share, please remember to link directly to this blog and not the file itself, and please remember to give proper credit! Enjoy!!

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This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/free-book-friends-activity-pack/feed/03100FREE Printable Summer Reading Activity Kithttps://storyfarmer.com/free-printable-summer-reading-activity-kit/
https://storyfarmer.com/free-printable-summer-reading-activity-kit/#respondSun, 03 Jun 2018 00:40:06 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2980Summer Reading Fun Is your school year over or will you be plugging away through the summer? We’ll be playing catch-up this summer, but we’re not going to let that stop us from crossing more books off of our reading list (a list that seems to grow with each visit to the library)! If your… Continue reading FREE Printable Summer Reading Activity Kit

Summer Reading Fun

Is your school year over or will you be plugging away through the summer? We’ll be playing catch-up this summer, but we’re not going to let that stop us from crossing more books off of our reading list (a list that seems to grow with each visit to the library)!

If your kids are ready to tackle a reading list, too, I’ve got a freebie to help get you started!

FREE Summer Reading Activity Kit

This kit is filled with over 20 pages of printables to help both bookworms and unmotivated readers alike. You’ll get printable bookmarks, reading logs and wish lists, a customizable Book Bingo game, a reader reward system, and more! You’ll even find printable postcards and stationery if your reader wants to write to a friend to share about a great book!

Since my kids are a wide range of ages, I created pages that would work for each of my readers depending on level and interest. Take from it what you can use, but don’t feel like you have to do it all! It’s not meant to turn books into summer school; it’s designed to help your readers embrace their summer reading!

As an added bonus, you can use this kit all year long since nothing is dated.

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/free-printable-summer-reading-activity-kit/feed/02980Free Nature Journaling Resourceshttps://storyfarmer.com/free-nature-journaling-resources/
https://storyfarmer.com/free-nature-journaling-resources/#respondFri, 11 May 2018 01:27:35 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2639“Never trusting to memory, he recorded every incident of which he had been the eyewitness on the spot, and all manner of observations went into his journal. . . . He noted the brilliant grasses and flowers of the prairie, the sound of the boatman’s horn winding from afar, the hooting of the great owl… Continue reading Free Nature Journaling Resources

“Never trusting to memory, he recorded every incident of which he had been the eyewitness on the spot, and all manner of observations went into his journal. . . . He noted the brilliant grasses and flowers of the prairie, the sound of the boatman’s horn winding from afar, the hooting of the great owl and the muffled murmur of its wings as it sailed smoothly over the river.”

-Van Wyck Brooks on John James Audubon

Let Nature Tell the Story!

Get Started with Nature Journaling with FREE Curriculum and Resources

Keeping a nature journal is a great way to get outside and observe things you might otherwise overlook in the busyness of life. It takes little preparation, you don’t have to be an artist, and it’s inexpensive. You only need a keen eye and listening ear along with your pencil and paper! It’s the perfect family time!

If you want to start your own nature journal, check out these free resources to get you started:

Start with a basic nature scavenger hunt using this adorable free printable. This is a fun activity to inspire your learners to observe more!

The California Native Plant Society offers a fantastic free downloadable curriculum guide, Opening the World Through Nature Journaling. This guide incorporates art, science, and language arts into games and activities. You can request a free .pdf version of the guide here.

Smithsonian in Your Classroom has a free guidebook, Introduction to the Nature Journal. It’s written for classroom use, but it can be tweaked for homeschooling. Learn more about the nature journal as a record of history, then observe animals on the National Zoo’s webcam and write about any observations. Visit the main page here to get the freebie!

Journal and Observation Ideas

The most common supplies are a sketch pad and pencil, but if you want to do something different, try these ideas:

My younger kids love these paper bag journals, and they’re super easy and inexpensive. Little hands especially love these! I recommend checking out the first link for inspiration, but if you need video instructions for making a paper bag journal, click here.

For a guided journal packed with information, My Nature Journal is a great keepsake journal.

Web Cams

Getting outside and observing nature is the best way to keep a nature journal, but sometimes your learners might want to observe animals that aren’t native to your area. Webcams are a great way to observe the parts of nature you can’t access by getting outside.

I hope you enjoy these resources! Remember, as Hugh Miller said, “Life itself is a school, and Nature always a fresh study.” Enjoy!

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/free-nature-journaling-resources/feed/02639Learn About Exploration with Free Resources from the Mariners’ Museum!https://storyfarmer.com/learn-about-exploration-with-free-resources-from-the-mariners-museum/
https://storyfarmer.com/learn-about-exploration-with-free-resources-from-the-mariners-museum/#respondTue, 08 May 2018 01:21:16 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2641The Age of Exploration Watch a short three-minute video on YouTube about the Age of Exploration (parent preview recommended). Then check out the Mariners’ Museum and Park links below to learn more! The Mariners’ Museum and Park The Mariners’ Museum and Park offers great educational resources and interactive activities for your own explorers to learn more… Continue reading Learn About Exploration with Free Resources from the Mariners’ Museum!

Learn the name of the underwater laboratory that allows scientists to explore the ocean floor longer and more up close.

Read about the tool that uses the shadow of the sun instead of the direct view of the sun to obtain the altitude.

Explore More!

Not only can you read about explorers and their missions, you also can view galleries featuring the explorers in famous works of art, watch videos of various explorer tools in use, learn important vocabulary words, and more!

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/learn-about-exploration-with-free-resources-from-the-mariners-museum/feed/02641Free Resources for the “Who Was” Book Series – Plus a Giveaway – Part 3https://storyfarmer.com/free-resources-for-the-who-was-book-series-plus-a-giveaway-part-3/
https://storyfarmer.com/free-resources-for-the-who-was-book-series-plus-a-giveaway-part-3/#respondSun, 06 May 2018 16:46:22 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2732 Free Resources for the Who Was Book Series – Plus a Giveaway – Part 3 Who Was Alexander Hamilton? Reading level and book specifics: Age Range: 8 – 12 years Grade Level: 3 – 7 Paperback: 112 pages Alexander Hamilton was an American statesman who had a profound influence on America’s political system. His life… Continue reading Free Resources for the “Who Was” Book Series – Plus a Giveaway – Part 3

Alexander Hamilton was an American statesman who had a profound influence on America’s political system. His life was filled with accomplishments despite and amid difficulties.

Learn more about Alexander Hamilton:

Take a virtual tour of the Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America
Exhibition.

Download a FREE Junior Ranger book about Hamilton from the National Park Service. (After following the link, click the link under “Become a Junior Ranger” for the book.) These fun downloadable activity books are made for a visit to the national parks, but many of the activities can be done without a visit.

Daniel Boone was a frontiersman who, along with 28 companions, built the Wilderness Road, This path was important because it became the main route to the region then known as the West, and it helped make the first settlements of Kentucky possible. Boone’s adventures inspired incidents in multiple works of fiction, and he served as the model for James Fenimore Cooper’s character Natty Bumppo from The Leatherstocking Tales.

View a video about Lee and the Battle of Antietam. Sadly, this battle gave us the bloodiest day in American history.

Lee reportedly said, “I don’t believe we can have an army without music.” Listen to music that would have been part of the battlefield, the camp, and the homefront during the Civil War, then learn more about the roles the music played. After reading about the different ways music was used, think about what songs you would want to hear if you were in the same situation.

If you missed part 1 or part 2 of this series, check out the “Other Activities” section of each post for more ideas to use with your studies!

GIVEAWAY!

Enter to Win a Nine-Volume Set of Who Was Books

The “Who Was” book set giveaway has ended.

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/free-resources-for-the-who-was-book-series-plus-a-giveaway-part-3/feed/02732Nine-Volume “Who Was” Book Series Giveaway – Part 2https://storyfarmer.com/who-was-book-series-giveaway-part-2/
https://storyfarmer.com/who-was-book-series-giveaway-part-2/#respondWed, 02 May 2018 11:59:58 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2687 Free Resources for the Who Was Book Series – Plus a Giveaway – Part 2 Who Was Betsy Ross? Reading level and book specifics: Age Range: 8 – 12 years Grade Level: 3 – 7 Paperback: 112 pages Betsy Ross was born Elizabeth Griscom in Philadelphia, PA. According to legend, as a young adult… Continue reading Nine-Volume “Who Was” Book Series Giveaway – Part 2

Paul Revere’s most famous engraving was the Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in Kings Street in Boston. It’s considered to be one of the most effective pieces of war propaganda in American history. Learn more about the engraving and how it was used to influence public opinion.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem entitled Paul Revere’s Ride was published in the Boston Transcript on December 18, 1860. The Transcript published an incomplete version, and the six lines that were omitted were so important to Longfellow that he petitioned the Atlantic Monthly to publish the complete version. The poem took Revere from obscurity and made him into a national hero. Though Revere’s role in the poem is exaggerated, the premise is historically accurate. You can read the poem along with additional poems commemorating events in US history in the book Poems of American Patriotism, free to read online.

Younger learners can read an interactive version of Longfellow’s poem. Highlighted lines in the interactive poem offer vocabulary help and assistance with understanding historical context.

Ben Franklin was an author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and a Founding Father of the United States. He founded numerous organizations and institutions, became the first Postmaster General, and helped draft and later signed the Declaration of Independence. In fact, according to history.com, “Franklin is the only founding father to have signed all four of the key documents establishing the U.S.: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris establishing peace with Great Britain (1783) and the U.S. Constitution (1787).”

Other Activities

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized Paul Revere with his poem Paul Revere’s Ride. Choose one of the featured historical figures and create your own poem. Use this free printable from Scholastic if you want a pre-made form.

If you missed part 1 of this series, head over there and check out the “Other Activities” section for more ideas to use with your studies!

GIVEAWAY

Enter to Win a Nine-Volume Set of Who Was Books

The “Who Was” book set giveaway has ended.

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/who-was-book-series-giveaway-part-2/feed/02687Win a Nine-Volume, American History-Themed “Who Was” Book Set!https://storyfarmer.com/win-a-nine-volume-american-history-themed-who-was-book-set-giveaway/
https://storyfarmer.com/win-a-nine-volume-american-history-themed-who-was-book-set-giveaway/#commentsTue, 01 May 2018 00:52:06 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2602Giveaway and Resources I’m so excited to offer one special reader a nine-volume set of American history-themed books from the Who Was series. This week I’ll be featuring the books on the blog along with additional resources that can be used to enhance your studies. Since there are nine books in the set I’m giving away, I’ll… Continue reading Win a Nine-Volume, American History-Themed “Who Was” Book Set!

Giveaway and Resources

I’m so excited to offer one special reader a nine-volume set of American history-themed books from the Who Was series. This week I’ll be featuring the books on the blog along with additional resources that can be used to enhance your studies. Since there are nine books in the set I’m giving away, I’ll feature three books per post. Instructions for contest entry are at the end of this post.

Read more about Davy Crockett and look at an interesting photo gallery on Kiddle.

Read the Signature Biography, The Story of Davy Crockett, for free online (e-mail registration is required and well worth it if your learners like to read older books)! Another classic story option is Davy Crockett from the American Adventure Series.

Davy Crockett was a congressman. Use the Congress for Kids website to find out the roles of a congressman.

Many tall tales emerged about Davy Crockett, especially after his death. Because of this, it has been hard for some to separate the stories about Davy Crockett the folk hero and Davy Crockett the person. The source of many of the myths was the Davy Crockett Almanac. No one knows who published the Davy Crockett Almanac, but these publications serve as good examples of early American humor. See one of the almanacs here.

Sixteen-year-old Sacagawea made history when she made the remarkable journey with Lewis and Clark.

Learn more about Sacagawea:

Sacagawea was part of the Agai-Dika Shoshone Tribe (later re-named Lemhi-Shoshone by Mormons). See a sampling of Lemhi words, then scroll to the bottom of the linked page for learning activities and printables.

Chapman was a member of the Swedenborgian Church, which forbade tree grafting. Because of this, most of the apples he planted were unpalatable. Reliably safe drinking water was rare in colonial America, and since most apples during this time were used to make cider rather than eaten, the fruit of Chapman’s labor was beneficial to settlers. Cider, which was a mildly alcoholic beverage about half the strength of wine, was safer to drink and was even served to children. See how grafting is done to produce an edible apple.

Harper’s New Monthly Magazine endowed Chapman with national fame in 1871. Click here to read the original story, Johnny Appleseed: A Pioneer Hero.

Other Activities

With or without the museum you can use the fun activities to make the learning stick! Create your own word-search, make Who Was magazine covers, create biography cubes, and more with these free, interchangeable activities, also from Penguin Publishing Group.

Create a lapbook for any of the books in this series. Use these free templates to design your lapbook exactly the way you want it! If you don’t want to design your own, you can use this simple biography lapbook template.

Enter to Win a Nine-Volume Set of “Who Was” Books!

The “Who Was” book set giveaway has ended.

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

FREE High Flyers Alphabet Activity Book from NASA

NASA offers a FREE 50-page activity book in .pdf format for your K – 2 learners, but don’t let the title fool you! This is so much more than an alphabet activity book. Discover basic aeronautical terms, solve simple addition problems, and practice handwriting with copywork pages!

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/free-downloadable-basic-aeronautics-activity-book-from-nasa/feed/02604FREE Printables and Activities for Frog and Toad Books…and a Flash Giveaway!https://storyfarmer.com/free-printables-and-activities-for-frog-and-toad-books-and-a-flash-giveaway/
https://storyfarmer.com/free-printables-and-activities-for-frog-and-toad-books-and-a-flash-giveaway/#respondTue, 24 Apr 2018 00:22:02 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2556 We love Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad series! The books are great introductory readers filled with engaging and humorous stories! There are four titles in the series. If you don’t have access to the books, all of them are featured on YouTube in a read-aloud format. You can view the read-aloud versions here: Frog and… Continue reading FREE Printables and Activities for Frog and Toad Books…and a Flash Giveaway!

Character Traits

The Frog and Toad series is filled with opportunities to teach important character traits. Use the character trait list featured under “My Thoughts” on the Burgess Book Lessons blog to find conversation starters about kindness, patience, tidiness, and much more!

Additional character trait lesson plans can be found on the Character First Education website. Find character traits in the Frog and Toad stories that you want to teach, then use the free lessons, downloads, and videos to support your teaching.

If you want to use scripture tie-ins, the Grace Online Library offers a list of 49 godly character qualities, the opposite of each quality, and verses that can be used to teach the traits. If you prefer to have the list on a printable chart, MOMentumLife.tv has a great printable version of Grace Online Library’s list! (Follow the link, then scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable chart.)

Flash Giveaway!

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

]]>https://storyfarmer.com/free-printables-and-activities-for-frog-and-toad-books-and-a-flash-giveaway/feed/02556Free Teaching Resources for The Torchlighters Video Series – Part 3https://storyfarmer.com/free_teaching_resources_torchlighters_video_series_part3/
https://storyfarmer.com/free_teaching_resources_torchlighters_video_series_part3/#respondFri, 16 Mar 2018 22:56:58 +0000https://storyfarmer.com/?p=2484Part 3 of Our Feature on The Torchlighters Video Series This is part three of our feature on The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith animated series. Below you’ll find resources for six more videos in the series. If you missed part one or part two, be sure to check them out! Instant Videos and Free Resources The… Continue reading Free Teaching Resources for The Torchlighters Video Series – Part 3

Wesley was known as an open-air preacher, and his favorite place to preach was Gwenapp Pit, a natural amphitheater where he preached 18 different times. It could seat about 2000 comfortably, and it is said that in 1773 a crowd of about 32,000 gathered at Gwennap Pit to hear Wesley preach. Learn more about Gwennap Pit or watch a video.

The Torchlighters: The Robert Jermain Thomas Story features the story of Robert Jermain Thomas, considered the first martyred Protestant missionary to Korea. Thomas risked everything to bring the light of God into Korea, then a complete hermit kingdom because of the nation’s isolationist policies.

Expand your learning:

Though South Korea enjoys freedom, North Korea is a restricted nation. Download a FREE 57-page activity book from Voice of the Martyrs: Bold Believers in North Korea (e-mail registration required).

Learn more about Korea during the Joseon Dynasty, the dynasty that ruled Korea during Thomas’ service. (This guide uses art to teach about Korea from 1392 – 1910 and is made to be used with an art museum visit, but it can be altered for home use.)

Confucianism was the official state religion of the Joseon dynasty, but Buddhistpractices, though suppressed, continued unofficially under Joseon rule. Older learners can compare Confucianism and Buddhism with Christianity.

Find North and South Korea on a map. (Use this map if you prefer labels.)

Expand your learning:

Perpetua lived in Carthage, in what is modern-day Tunisia. Download a FREE 57-page activity book from Voice of the Martyrs: Bold Believers in Algeria and Tunisia (e-mail registration required).

Christians around the world are still being persecuted for their faith. Write a letter to a Christian imprisoned for his or her faith (select an individual and click the name; then you will see an option to write a letter). Please BE SURE to follow the guidelines for writing a letter.

More Videos and Resources

Find all of The Torchlighters videos available on Amazon Prime instant video here. If you don’t have Amazon Prime, RightNow Media and Pureflix have the episodes as well.

If you prefer to buy the series and support a good cause, The Voice of the Martyrs has The Torchlighters Ultimate Activity Book and DVD set for $50.00 on their website.

DISCLOSURE

This site does incorporate paid advertising and affiliate links.

The Story Farmer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.